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Regulation News

New OSCE Media Freedom Representative building new coalition defending media freedom
posted on 12 September, 2017   (public)
New OSCE Media Freedom Representative building new coalition defending media freedom A coalition of international journalist and media freedom organisations, as well as intergovernmental institutions met  in Brussels on 5 September under the initiative of Harlem...
New Director General for the Norwegian Media Authority
posted on 08 September, 2017   (public)
New Director General for the Norwegian Media Authority Starting from the 1st September 2017, the Norwegian Media Authority Medietilsynet will have a new Director General - Ms. Mari Velsand. She will take over the position from Mr. Tom Thoresen, who has been heading the...
Is there a need for privileging plurality? The 2017 Digitisation report by the German regulators
posted on 08 September, 2017   (public)
Is there a need for privileging plurality? The 2017 Digitisation report by the German regulators The German media regulatory authorities Die Medienanstalten (DLM), have published the 2017 edition of the Digitisation report. The research, commissioned by the DLM, analyses the ...
Community Media Sustainability: UNESCO’s Policy Series targeting broadcasting regulators
posted on 29 August, 2017   (public)
Community Media Sustainability: UNESCO’s Policy Series targeting broadcasting regulators The recently launched UNESCO Community Media Sustainability Policy Series has been created to assist media regulators and government institutions to provide a regulatory environment...
Protection of Minors: Belgian CSA assesses compliance of audiovisual services with legal obligations
posted on 11 August, 2017   (public)
On 11 August 2017, the Belgian CSA (Conseil supérieur de l’Audiovisuel) published for the first time an overall assessment on how audiovisual services complied with their legal obligations towards minors’ protection in 2016 in the Wallonia-Brussels...
The representation of diversity in TV and radio broadcast content - French CSA Report
posted on 10 August, 2017   (public)
On 2 August 2017, the French Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA) published its Report on the representation of diversity in the French society in television and radio broadcast content, which was submitted to Parliament.  Under article 3-1 of the Act of...
Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf rules: ARD and ZDF have to pay cable carriage fees
posted on 07 August, 2017   (public)
As the latest development of a high profile legal dispute which started in 2012, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf (Oberlandesgericht Düsseldorf) decided on July 12, 2017 that the German public service broadcasters have to pay a total of around €3.5...
Accessibility of disabled persons to TV programmes and disability representation on air – French CSA report
posted on 01 August, 2017   (public)
The French CSA (Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel) published in June 2017 its annual report entitled: “Accessibility of disabled persons to TV programmes and disability representation on air”. Ensuring the widest possible access to television services...
Media coverage of elections : the legal framework in Europe - EAO report
posted on 31 July, 2017   (public)
The European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) has published in July 2017 a report entitled: “Media coverage of elections:  the legal framework in Europe”. The main focus of the report is on the regulation of media, including broadcast, print and online media, ...
Sport and Television - French CSA Report
posted on 10 July, 2017   (public)
Sport and Television - French CSA Report The French CSA has published in June 2017 a new report entitled: “Sport and television”. The study seeks to identify financial cross-contributions between sport and television. It also highlights the diversity of sport on...
Media plurality: Ofcom's public interest test for Sky/Fox merger
posted on 07 July, 2017   (public)
Media plurality: Ofcom's public interest test for Sky/Fox merger On 3 March 2017, 21st Century Fox, Inc. notified the European Commission of its intention to buy the shares in Sky - the leading pay-TV operator in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the UK - that it does...
Norwegian regulator issues Guide for Youtubers and Video Bloggers about Labelling of Advertisements
posted on 03 July, 2017   (public)
Norwegian regulator issues Guide for Youtubers and Video Bloggers about Labelling of Advertisements  The Norwegian Media Authority (NMA) has published a “Guide for Youtubers and Video Bloggers about Labelling of Advertisements” in June 2017. This Guide is...
Reuters Institute Digital News Report (Ireland) - BAI report
posted on 03 July, 2017   (public)
In June 2017 the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism published its sixth Digital News Report based on a YouGov survey of over 70,000 online news consumers in 36 countries. Based on this report, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) published its third annual...
BBC Distinctiveness – Report prepared for Ofcom by Ipsos MORI
posted on 29 June, 2017   (public)
BBC Distinctiveness – Report prepared for Ofcom by Ipsos MORI In June 2017, Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute published a report prepared for Ofcom entitled “BBC Distinctiveness”. On April 3th 2017, Ofcom became the BBC's first external regulator....
"Audiovisual services distributors" in the digital era - CSA Lab report
posted on 26 June, 2017   (public)
The CSA Lab published its second report about the French notion of “audiovisual services distributors” also known as “electronic communications networks” in other jurisdictions. Officially launched on June 14th 2016, the CSA lab is a prospective...
Focus on audiovisual services targeting other countries – EAO report
posted on 20 June, 2017   (public)
Focus on audiovisual services targeting other countries – EAO report The European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) has published in June 2017 a report which provides an overview of the European audiovisual media landscape by mapping the origin of linear and on-demand...
Trust in Media 2017: EBU Report
posted on 13 June, 2017   (public)
Trust in Media 2017: EBU Report In the current context of information abundance, trust in media seems to be important factor in the relationship between media and their audience. Therefore, measuring trust appears essential for tracking the evolution of citizens’...
Portability of digital services in the EU: Council adopts new regulation
posted on 12 June, 2017   (public)
Portability of digital services in the EU: Council adopts new regulation On 8 June 2017, the Council of the European Union adopted the new regulation on the portability of digital services across the EU, which will allow consumers who paid for online content services in their...
Sanctions: French CSA imposes new type of sanction on TV channel C8
posted on 08 June, 2017   (public)
Sanctions: French CSA imposes a new type of sanction on TV channel C8 On 7 June 2017, the French CSA (Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel) imposed two sanctions on the TV channel "C8" owing to two sequences broadcast during the programme "Touche pas...
Call for tenders: consultancy services for preparation of the Media sector inquiry in Montenegro
posted on 08 June, 2017   (public)
Call for tenders: consultancy services for preparation of the Media sector inquiry in Montenegro The Council of Europe is currently implementing EU/CoE Joint Programme “Reinforcing judicial expertise on freedom of expression and the media in South-East Europe”...
Assessing Media Pluralism in Europe: MPM2016 results published
posted on 06 June, 2017   (public)
Assessing Media Pluralism in Europe: MPM2016 results published On 15 May 2017, the European University Institute's Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) in Florence has released the 2016 edition of the Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM), one of the principal...
Fake news: Norwegian NMA publishes survey
posted on 18 April, 2017   (public)
Fake news: Norwegian NMA publishes survey In February 2017, the Ministry of Culture asked the Norwegian Media Authority (Medietilsynet) to carry out an omnibus survey on fake news. The survey was designed by the NMA, and based on similar studies on fake news in the US (Pew...
Use of electronic media by children in Portugal: ERC report
posted on 12 April, 2017   (public)
Use of electronic media by children in Portugal: ERC report The Portuguese Regulatory Authority for the Media (ERC) has issued in February a report on the use of electronic media by children in Portugal entitled “Growing up between screens: use of electronic devices by...
Media concentration in Flanders in 2016: VRM report
posted on 10 April, 2017   (public)
Media concentration in Flanders in 2016: VRM report The Flemish Regulator for the Media (VRM) has published in December 2016 a report on the media concentration in Flanders in 2016. On a yearly basis VRM presents a report to the Flemish policy makers containing information on...
Ofcom becomes the BBC's first external regulator
posted on 06 April, 2017   (public)
Ofcom becomes the BBC's first external regulator On 3 April 2017, Ofcom became the BBC's first external regulator. As required under the BBC’s Royal Charter, Ofcom has developed an 'Operating Framework' for the BBC, covering regulation of the BBC’s...
BAI launches revised General Commercial Communications Code
posted on 30 March, 2017   (public)
BAI launches revised General Commercial Communications Code The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched on 28 March 2017 its revised General Commercial Communications Code, which sets out the rules that Irish radio and television stations must comply with when it...
Mapping of media literacy practices and actions in EU-28: EAO report
posted on 28 March, 2017   (public)
Mapping of media literacy practices and actions in EU-28: EAO report On the 28 March 2017, the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) has published a noteworthy report entitled “Mapping of media literacy practices and actions in EU-28”. The study is focused on...
First Intercontinental Summit between the African and the Ibero-American Audiovisual Regulators
posted on 27 March, 2017   (public)
First Intercontinental Summit between the African and the Ibero-American Audiovisual Regulators On 16-17 March 2017 in Fez, Morocco, was held the First High-Ievel Intercontinental Summit between the African Communication Regulatory Authorities Network (ACRAN) and the Ibero...
French CSA : public consultation on the implementation of law on media freedom, independence and pluralism
posted on 21 March, 2017   (public)
French CSA : public consultation on the implementation of law on media freedom, independence and pluralism On 16 March 2017, the French Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) launched a public consultation on the implementation of the law of 14 November 2016 aimed...
Ofcom: new rules for election coverage and due impartiality
posted on 20 March, 2017   (public)
Ofcom: new rules for election coverage and due impartiality On 9 March 2017, further to its consultation published on 10 November 2016, Ofcom has published its revised rules on election coverage on TV and radio and due impartiality. The document sets out Ofcom’s decision...

Archived Regulation News

Ofcom reports on disabled consumers’ use of communications services
posted on 26 September, 2013   (public)
Ofcom has published its most comprehensive study into disabled consumers’ use of communications services. The research shows that younger disabled people are taking advantage of the benefits of being online. Among the youngest age group (15-34), levels of internet...
Digital Radio: Ofcom unveils 2013 Report
posted on 25 September, 2013   (public)
On 25 September Ofcom has published its Digital Radio Report for 2013 as part of the Digital Radio Action Plan announced by the Government in July 2010. In the report ‘digital radio’ is used in its broadest sense to include all platforms and technologies that...
First Country Ranking of Community Media in Europe
posted on 12 September, 2013   (public)
The Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE), an international non-profit organisation which provides a common platform for networks, national federations and projects active in the "third media" sector, has completed the first Country Ranking of Community Media in...
Ofcom publishes its 10th Communications Market Report
posted on 01 August, 2013   (public)
Ofcom’s 10th Communications Market Report, which was published on 1 August 2013, reveals that people are still coming together to watch TV in the living room with 91% of UK adults view TV on the main set each week, up from 88% in 2002. However, people are increasingly...
Council of Europe addresses role of regulators on gender equality in the media
posted on 31 July, 2013   (public)
On 10 July 2013, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a Recommendation on gender equality and media. In its preamble, the recommendation emphasises that: Gender equality is an indispensable condition for the full enjoyment of human rights; Genuine...
Short extracts: French CSA consults on the implementation of new rules
posted on 23 July, 2013   (public)
On 17 July 2013, French broadcasting regulator Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) opened a public consultation on the implementation of recently introduced rules concerning the broadcast of short extracts of sports events. The new rules were set by a decision...
Assessing PSB funding: Irish regulator publishes recommendations
posted on 22 July, 2013   (public)
On 18 July 2013, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has published recommendations in respect of the required levels of funding for the public service broadcasters (PSBs), TG4 and RTÉ, over the next five years. The recommendations are based on a 248 page report...
EIGE reports on gender equality in decision-making in media organisations
posted on 11 July, 2013   (public)
Advancing gender equality in decision-making in media organisations, EIGE Report   On 21 June 2013, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) published a report entitled "Women and the Media - Advancing gender equality in decision-making in media...
What Future for DTT Platforms: French Ministry opens a consultation
posted on 10 July, 2013   (public)
The Direction générale des médias et des industries culturelles (DGMIC) of the French Ministry of Culture and Communication launched on 2 July 2013 a public consultation on the future of DTT platforms, further to the work currently conducted by the French...
Update on media freedom issues: new report of the OSCE - RFOM
posted on 20 June, 2013   (public)
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, delivered her regular report on the status of media freedom within the OSCE region to the OSCE Permanent Council on 13 juin 2013, three months after she was re-elected for a second mandate. The 36 pages report,...
Macedonia completes analogue terrestrial switch off
posted on 20 June, 2013   (public)
As planned, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia switched off the analog terrestrial television signal on 31 May 2013, at midnight after a five-year period of simulcasting. The two regulatory authorities in charge, the Broadcasting Council and the Agency for Electronic...
Irish BAI issues revised Rules on Food Advertising to Children
posted on 07 June, 2013   (public)
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has issued on 4th June 2013 revised versions of its General and Children’s Commercial Communications Codes. The Codes have been updated to include rules on commercial communications for High Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) food...
Ofcom reports on children’s increased exposure to alcohol advertising on TV
posted on 28 May, 2013   (public)
On 24 May Ofcom published a report on children’s and young people's exposure to alcohol advertising, which shows that the average number of alcohol adverts seen by children per week has increased significantly from 2.7 in 2007 to 3.2 in 2011. The research looks at...
Standard Settings for Media Freedom: European Parliament adopts Resolution
posted on 21 May, 2013   (public)
On 21 May, the European Parliament approved the initiative report of Romanian MEP Renate Weber (PNL, ALDE) on the EU Charter by adopting a resolution on standard settings for media freedom across the EU. The resolution calls on Member States and the Commission to take...
Belgian CSA publishes study on representation of homosexuality in the audiovisual media
posted on 17 May, 2013   (public)
On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, the CSA of the French speaking Community of Belgium has published the outcome of its first assessment of stereotypes related to the sexual orientation in radio and TV broadcast content. The CSA has been monitoring...
Accessibility: Ofcom's proposals to improve the quality of subtitling
posted on 17 May, 2013   (public)
On 17 May, Ofcom has published proposals for consultation aimed at improving live subtitling to provide a better viewing experience for people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in the UK. While pre-prepared subtitling is generally of a good quality, viewers have made clear...
European Commission consults on rapidly converging audiovisual market
posted on 25 April, 2013   (public)
The European Commission adopted on 24 April 2013 a Green Paper inviting stakeholders and the wider public to share their view on issues related to the rapid convergence in the audiovisual market and growing importance of the connected television in Europe. The changes in the...
ECHR rules that ban on paid political advertising in the UK justified
posted on 23 April, 2013   (public)
The European Court of Human Rights held on 22 April 2013, by nine votes to eight, that there was no violation of Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights in the case of Animal Defenders International v. the United Kingdom. The case...
Irish BAI launches Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs
posted on 12 April, 2013   (public)
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched on 9 April 2013 a Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs. The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires broadcasters to ensure that all news broadcast is presented in an objective and impartial...
Ofcom publishes updated rules on party political and referendum broadcasts
posted on 02 April, 2013   (public)
On 21 March 2013, Ofcom published updated rules on party political and referendum broadcasts (PPRB Rules). The revision of the rules was preceded by a consultation carried out by Ofcom between November 2012 and January 2013. The review of the PPRB Rules was related to recent...
New chairperson for Dutch CvdM
by Marcel Betzel (CvdM - NL) posted on 27 March, 2013   (public)
Prof. Dr. Madeleine de Cock Buning, commissioner at the Commissariaat voor de Media (CvdM) since July 2009, has been appointed chairperson of the Dutch regulatory authority CvdM as of 1 April 2013 by the State Secretary of Media Affairs. In addition to her work for the CvdM,...
Measuring Diversity on Television - Outcome of French and Belgian assessment for 2012
posted on 26 March, 2013   (public)
The French and Belgian (French-Speaking Community) regulatory authorities have recently published the outcome of their assessment of diversity in television broadcast content for the year 2012. The objective of the research was to assess the perception of diversity in...
Independence of Audiovisual regulators: Commission launches public consultation
posted on 22 March, 2013   (public)
Pursuant to the 30 policy recommendations contained in the report of the High Level Group (HLG) on Media Freedom and Pluralism, which was made public on 21 January 2013, the European Commission launched two public consultations on media freedom and pluralism and on the...
Protection of minors in Romania: CNA launches public hotline
posted on 21 March, 2013   (public)
The National Audiovisual Council of Romania (NAC) launched a new public hotline number where cases of violation of the protection of minors in the field of television broadcasting may be reported. The free of charge hotline was launched as a result of a debate organised by...
DTT in Europe in 2012: Trends and Developments
posted on 12 March, 2013   (public)
the European Audiovisual Observatory, based on figures from the Yearbook 2012 and the MAVISE database, has published a press release highlighting the salient trends and developments of digital terrestrial television in Europe in 2012. According to the Observatory: 22 - out...
Live Internet streaming of free-to-air channels may be prohibited: CJEU Judgment
posted on 10 March, 2013   (public)
Further to a request for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of Directive 2001/29/EC on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held on 7 March 2013 that TV...
Gender Equality: REFRAM awards pilot project to Moroccan HACA
posted on 08 March, 2013   (public)
Further to the internal call for tender for a pilot project in favour of gender equality launched in October 2012 by the Francophone Network Media Regulators (REFRAM), the jury unanimously selected the project presented by the HACA, the Moroccan regulator on 8 March 2013. ...
OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media Dunja Mijatović reappointed
posted on 07 March, 2013   (public)
Picture credits: OSCE/Curtis Budden On 7 March 2013, the 57 OSCE participating States unanimously agreed to reappoint the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to a second three-year term. Dunja Mijatović was appointed...
Social media: A first analysis by the French CSA
posted on 26 February, 2013   (public)
The Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), the French regulatory authority in charge of broadcasting, published on 19 February 2013, a first analysis of the phenomenon of "social TV," which focuses on the delimitation of its scope, its development,...
Processing complaints: Refram publishes toolbox
posted on 05 February, 2013   (public)
On 29 January 2013, the Network of French-speaking media regulatory authorities (REFRAM) published a toolkit on how to process complaints - a mission at the core of the daily work of regulatory authorities. It is intended to help members of the network by providing them...